By Ugandan legislators are pressing the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) for answers on its research impact and funding strategies. The Committee on Health expressed concerns over the institute’s limited efforts in disseminating research findings to decision-makers and the public, as well as its reliance on donor funding.
Hon. George Bhoka Didi questioned UVRI’s marketing strategies for its research publications, while Hon. Samuel Opio urged the institute to explore commercialization opportunities, citing the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) as a successful example.
The Chairperson of the committee, Hon. Joseph Ruyonga, emphasized the need for financial self-reliance, encouraging UVRI to diversify its funding sources. Dr. Deogratias Ssemwanga, Assistant Director for Research, acknowledged the institute’s visibility challenges but assured MPs of ongoing improvements.
UVRI has made significant contributions to developing local vaccines and diagnostic kits, particularly for Mpox and SARS. However, the institute faces funding constraints, with a canceled allocation of over Shs3 billion from USAID. The European Union has allocated Shs1.04 billion to UVRI for the current financial year.
Key unfunded priorities in UVRI’s budget include compensating squatters on land for research repurposing, malaria protection through Oxitec, and institutional development.
